The California Air Resources Board today announced that it has begun a test program for its Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline that will be introduced throughout the state beginning in March 1996.

The $1.8 million test program will use about 1800 vehicles from the fleets of several major California companies and state and local government agencies. This and other test programs planned by refiners and engine manufacturers will evaluate the performance and compatibility of the new blend with all types of engines from small two-stroke lawn and garden tools to gasoline-powered big-rig trucks and heavy-duty off-road equipment.

Air Resources Board Chairman John Dunlap said, "All Californians will benefit from the cleaner air that Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline helps achieve."

To assure a smooth transition from today's gasoline, the ARB, refiners, engine and equipment manufacturers and environmental and consumer groups are working together to anticipate and address any issues that might accompany the introduction of the world's cleanest gasoline. When it reaches the market, Phase 2 gasoline will immediately cut as much as 30 percent of toxics such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene, and reduce ozone-forming nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon emissions by 14 percent from any engine using it.

"This huge pollution reduction makes it one of the most cost-effective air quality measures ever," Dunlap added.

Car and truck fleets from Bank of America, GTE, Pacific Bell, Caltrans, City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento and California State University Fresno will burn as much as 600,000 gallons of the new gasoline for six months to provide data on the fuel's effectiveness in "real world" situations. The Phillips 66 Company refinery in Borger, Texas is providing the fuel for the program

ARB researchers will conduct periodic "under the hood" fuel system inspections and investigate problem vehicles, as well as collect fuel economy and emissions data. Refiners will begin blending the new fuel in March 1996 in preparation for its introduction at all California service stations not later than June 1996.

California Phase 2 Gasoline sets eight gasoline specifications including Reid Vapor Pressure, sulfur, olefin, aromatic hydrocarbon and benzene levels, and boiling point temperatures to reduce tailpipe emissions of toxics and ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. The new fuel specifications also require oxygenated additives to limit carbon monoxide emissions.